Highlanders 2025
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Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:
Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
Even if that's the case, those 1.5 games showed astonishing form. I wouldn't be in a rush to replace him with a guy coming back from long term injury that is a very similar player anyway.
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Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:
Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
He's played five games. Half of them he has been really good. Can't say he's had a bad game yet for the Landers.
I reckon JRK, Tangitau on the wings and Hurley at fullback has a nice ring to it.
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Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:
Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
he's only started 2 games this season so thats a pretty good strike rate, we need to start rewarding form....not second guessing when it will fall away
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@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:
Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
He's played five games. Half of them he has been really good. Can't say he's had a bad game yet for the Landers.
I reckon JRK, Tangitau on the wings and Hurley at fullback has a nice ring to it.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:
Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
He's played five games. Half of them he has been really good. Can't say he's had a bad game yet for the Landers.
I reckon JRK, Tangitau on the wings and Hurley at fullback has a nice ring to it.
thats actually what i was wondering when i asked, i wasnt sure how people saw JRK on the wing
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Hurley would be on the wing for me. JRK at his best, is a much better fullback than Hurley. With everyone fit and firing, Hurley is still on the bench for me, which speaks to the depth we have.
@frugby and thats where i feel he might be best on the bench then, im not a huge fan of him on the wing, i feel hes offset his size issue at 15 by using space much more....the wing has to deal with the touchline more and hes less likely to shrug off a tackle and hold his ground right on the line
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Im much more comfortable with JRK on the wing and Hurley at fullback than the other way around.
JRK has played a lot more wing than Hurley. They can switch during games as well.
It is a nice problem to have. I do like the option to have a fresh Hurley come on with 30 to go though. Move Jim to 12. JRK to the wing and have Hurley come on at fullback.
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I still want to temper expectations with Hurley. He won't play as well as he played against the Blues every week, so question marks still remain as to how he goes in an average game. His ceiling is as high as anyone's, but he still generally has a clanger every game in him.
JRK was a gun last year, and deserves the 15 jersey should he prove his fitness. Manson might be worth another look on the edge, though Nareki is back next week.
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thank god we'll never have another injury and so will be able to play with all these options regularly.....
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
thank god we'll never have another injury and so will be able to play with all these options regularly.....
And in the forwards. Haig comes back. Howden is a dual 6/lock sub. Or starts. Dunshea could even come off the bench and sub Holland.
So many options for an injury free squad.
It is delightful.
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I still want to temper expectations with Hurley. He won't play as well as he played against the Blues every week, so question marks still remain as to how he goes in an average game. His ceiling is as high as anyone's, but he still generally has a clanger every game in him.
JRK was a gun last year, and deserves the 15 jersey should he prove his fitness. Manson might be worth another look on the edge, though Nareki is back next week.
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
I still want to temper expectations with Hurley. He won't play as well as he played against the Blues every week, so question marks still remain as to how he goes in an average game. His ceiling is as high as anyone's, but he still generally has a clanger every game in him.
JRK was a gun last year, and deserves the 15 jersey should he prove his fitness. Manson might be worth another look on the edge, though Nareki is back next week.
We all understand what Hurley has in his game. We have all seen him shit the cot. It is fine. It is what you expect from a 21-year-old. He has also fairly well reduced the number of clangers. I expect to see two a game. He is only only going to be playing his sixth game of Super rugby.
It is the attitude of oohhh. Yes he does some good things. But he might play shit. It is a crappy attitude to have. We have a wee rock star. He will do more good than bad. He puts bums on seats. It is the same with high risk cricketers like Finn Allen. Yes, he hits sixes, but he might go out for under 10 and that's bad. He won't he a sensible 40. He's an entertainer and we need guys like him and Hurley playing for our teams.
Work out who your best five players are 12 - 15, and look at how to fit them in.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
I still want to temper expectations with Hurley. He won't play as well as he played against the Blues every week, so question marks still remain as to how he goes in an average game. His ceiling is as high as anyone's, but he still generally has a clanger every game in him.
JRK was a gun last year, and deserves the 15 jersey should he prove his fitness. Manson might be worth another look on the edge, though Nareki is back next week.
We all understand what Hurley has in his game. We have all seen him shit the cot. It is fine. It is what you expect from a 21-year-old. He has also fairly well reduced the number of clangers. I expect to see two a game. He is only only going to be playing his sixth game of Super rugby.
It is the attitude of oohhh. Yes he does some good things. But he might play shit. It is a crappy attitude to have. We have a wee rock star. He will do more good than bad. He puts bums on seats. It is the same with high risk cricketers like Finn Allen. Yes, he hits sixes, but he might go out for under 10 and that's bad. He won't he a sensible 40. He's an entertainer and we need guys like him and Hurley playing for our teams.
Work out who your best five players are 12 - 15, and look at how to fit them in.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
I still want to temper expectations with Hurley. He won't play as well as he played against the Blues every week, so question marks still remain as to how he goes in an average game. His ceiling is as high as anyone's, but he still generally has a clanger every game in him.
JRK was a gun last year, and deserves the 15 jersey should he prove his fitness. Manson might be worth another look on the edge, though Nareki is back next week.
We all understand what Hurley has in his game. We have all seen him shit the cot. It is fine. It is what you expect from a 21-year-old. He has also fairly well reduced the number of clangers. I expect to see two a game. He is only only going to be playing his sixth game of Super rugby.
It is the attitude of oohhh. Yes he does some good things. But he might play shit. It is a crappy attitude to have. We have a wee rock star. He will do more good than bad. He puts bums on seats. It is the same with high risk cricketers like Finn Allen. Yes, he hits sixes, but he might go out for under 10 and that's bad. He won't he a sensible 40. He's an entertainer and we need guys like him and Hurley playing for our teams.
Work out who your best five players are 12 - 15, and look at how to fit them in.
I think you've misinterpreted what I am saying. I've been really pleased with what I saw from Hurley in these first two games, but he isn't better than JRK, so if he you don't want him on the wing, then for me he is on the bench.
That is not a reflection on Hurley, but a reflection on how good JRK is. If he wasn't injured, JRK probably would have been in the NZ XV - Hurley is not at that level - yet.
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I keep reading about how good Haig is, from age grade through to the Highlanders, so I am looking forward to him stringing some games together so I can see for myself. Maybe I have watched the wrong games, but so far in the games above age grade that I have seen him play I haven't been overly wowed by him. Hoping I am wrong and he does turn out to be a good one.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
I still want to temper expectations with Hurley. He won't play as well as he played against the Blues every week, so question marks still remain as to how he goes in an average game. His ceiling is as high as anyone's, but he still generally has a clanger every game in him.
JRK was a gun last year, and deserves the 15 jersey should he prove his fitness. Manson might be worth another look on the edge, though Nareki is back next week.
We all understand what Hurley has in his game. We have all seen him shit the cot. It is fine. It is what you expect from a 21-year-old. He has also fairly well reduced the number of clangers. I expect to see two a game. He is only only going to be playing his sixth game of Super rugby.
It is the attitude of oohhh. Yes he does some good things. But he might play shit. It is a crappy attitude to have. We have a wee rock star. He will do more good than bad. He puts bums on seats. It is the same with high risk cricketers like Finn Allen. Yes, he hits sixes, but he might go out for under 10 and that's bad. He won't he a sensible 40. He's an entertainer and we need guys like him and Hurley playing for our teams.
Work out who your best five players are 12 - 15, and look at how to fit them in.
I think you've misinterpreted what I am saying. I've been really pleased with what I saw from Hurley in these first two games, but he isn't better than JRK, so if he you don't want him on the wing, then for me he is on the bench.
That is not a reflection on Hurley, but a reflection on how good JRK is. If he wasn't injured, JRK probably would have been in the NZ XV - Hurley is not at that level - yet.
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
I still want to temper expectations with Hurley. He won't play as well as he played against the Blues every week, so question marks still remain as to how he goes in an average game. His ceiling is as high as anyone's, but he still generally has a clanger every game in him.
JRK was a gun last year, and deserves the 15 jersey should he prove his fitness. Manson might be worth another look on the edge, though Nareki is back next week.
We all understand what Hurley has in his game. We have all seen him shit the cot. It is fine. It is what you expect from a 21-year-old. He has also fairly well reduced the number of clangers. I expect to see two a game. He is only only going to be playing his sixth game of Super rugby.
It is the attitude of oohhh. Yes he does some good things. But he might play shit. It is a crappy attitude to have. We have a wee rock star. He will do more good than bad. He puts bums on seats. It is the same with high risk cricketers like Finn Allen. Yes, he hits sixes, but he might go out for under 10 and that's bad. He won't he a sensible 40. He's an entertainer and we need guys like him and Hurley playing for our teams.
Work out who your best five players are 12 - 15, and look at how to fit them in.
I think you've misinterpreted what I am saying. I've been really pleased with what I saw from Hurley in these first two games, but he isn't better than JRK, so if he you don't want him on the wing, then for me he is on the bench.
That is not a reflection on Hurley, but a reflection on how good JRK is. If he wasn't injured, JRK probably would have been in the NZ XV - Hurley is not at that level - yet.
It is an attitude thing. It is the language people use around players like Hurley.
He isn't as good as JRK? That's up for debate. We don't know how JRK will come back from his injury. Heck even JRK was used at times for Taranaki last year. To ensure the best players were on the field. They offer different skills. Both are very good, when playing well.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
I still want to temper expectations with Hurley. He won't play as well as he played against the Blues every week, so question marks still remain as to how he goes in an average game. His ceiling is as high as anyone's, but he still generally has a clanger every game in him.
JRK was a gun last year, and deserves the 15 jersey should he prove his fitness. Manson might be worth another look on the edge, though Nareki is back next week.
We all understand what Hurley has in his game. We have all seen him shit the cot. It is fine. It is what you expect from a 21-year-old. He has also fairly well reduced the number of clangers. I expect to see two a game. He is only only going to be playing his sixth game of Super rugby.
It is the attitude of oohhh. Yes he does some good things. But he might play shit. It is a crappy attitude to have. We have a wee rock star. He will do more good than bad. He puts bums on seats. It is the same with high risk cricketers like Finn Allen. Yes, he hits sixes, but he might go out for under 10 and that's bad. He won't he a sensible 40. He's an entertainer and we need guys like him and Hurley playing for our teams.
Work out who your best five players are 12 - 15, and look at how to fit them in.
I think you've misinterpreted what I am saying. I've been really pleased with what I saw from Hurley in these first two games, but he isn't better than JRK, so if he you don't want him on the wing, then for me he is on the bench.
That is not a reflection on Hurley, but a reflection on how good JRK is. If he wasn't injured, JRK probably would have been in the NZ XV - Hurley is not at that level - yet.
@frugby @SouthernMann i think its a little easier than if Hurly had had an amazing game last week, his niggle means its a little easier IMO to reset and look at them both abjectly and yeah JRK probably gets the nod is 15....but i would rather see him at 14 than Gilbert for example
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@frugby @SouthernMann i think its a little easier than if Hurly had had an amazing game last week, his niggle means its a little easier IMO to reset and look at them both abjectly and yeah JRK probably gets the nod is 15....but i would rather see him at 14 than Gilbert for example
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby @SouthernMann i think its a little easier than if Hurly had had an amazing game last week, his niggle means its a little easier IMO to reset and look at them both abjectly and yeah JRK probably gets the nod is 15....but i would rather see him at 14 than Gilbert for example
JRK is still three weeks away, give or take. Will be go back in through club rugby. Does he come back in via the bench. Have to consider the form a specific player, who has been on the field, in this case Hurley.
There is always going to be a conversation around how to get the best available players on the field. When it suits to bring them on.
Hurley is five games into his career. JRK has played about 30.
Let's say they are both fit. We look to continue our approach, around best five - six players 12 - 15.
They'd be
Tavatavanawai
Tangitau
Tele'a
Hurley
JRK (rating there, due to having not played)
TUJThen work out who goes where. Who can also provide the best impact.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby @SouthernMann i think its a little easier than if Hurly had had an amazing game last week, his niggle means its a little easier IMO to reset and look at them both abjectly and yeah JRK probably gets the nod is 15....but i would rather see him at 14 than Gilbert for example
JRK is still three weeks away, give or take. Will be go back in through club rugby. Does he come back in via the bench. Have to consider the form a specific player, who has been on the field, in this case Hurley.
There is always going to be a conversation around how to get the best available players on the field. When it suits to bring them on.
Hurley is five games into his career. JRK has played about 30.
Let's say they are both fit. We look to continue our approach, around best five - six players 12 - 15.
They'd be
Tavatavanawai
Tangitau
Tele'a
Hurley
JRK (rating there, due to having not played)
TUJThen work out who goes where. Who can also provide the best impact.
@SouthernMann true, so if hurly has a stand out next three weeks i might have a hard time dropping him straight away for JRK
the reality is someone will have a niggle by then, Jim will pribably be back in the midfield and so JRK might be on the wing
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@SouthernMann true, so if hurly has a stand out next three weeks i might have a hard time dropping him straight away for JRK
the reality is someone will have a niggle by then, Jim will pribably be back in the midfield and so JRK might be on the wing
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann true, so if hurly has a stand out next three weeks i might have a hard time dropping him straight away for JRK
the reality is someone will have a niggle by then, Jim will pribably be back in the midfield and so JRK might be on the wing
Yeah exactly. We hopefully wont need to panic and throw him straight into the starting line up.
We have good options. Which is a luxurious place to be.
He comes back in time for the Dura game in Dunedin, or at best the Force game in Perth. Then we have a bit of a rough run in. So hoping he is firing by the time we run the NZ game gauntlet.
